Staple forming and driving head



Dec. 2, 1.958

Filed March 5. 1956 w. F. Nl-:wHousE 2,862,205

PLE FORMING AND DRIVING HEAD y INVENTOR.- l WALTER F. NEWHOUSE Dec. 2, 1958 I w. F. NEwHoUsE STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING HEAD Filed March 5. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 w 2 'ff' 2B N 'n 3 r w m INVENToR:

WALTER F. NEWHOUSE FIG Il Dec. 2, 1958 w. F. NEwHousE 2,862,205

STAPLE FORMING AND DRIVING HEAD Filed March 5, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

WALTER F. NEWHOUSE Dec. 2, 1958 w. F. NEwHoUsE 2,862,205

STAPLEI` FORMING AND DRIVING HEAD Filed March 5. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 F|G25 F|G.26 FIG27 FIG.28 FIG. 29

INVENToR.- H938 WALTER F. NEWHOUSE ATT'Ys Dec. 2, 1958 w. FQNEwHousE 2,852,205

STAPLE F OBMING AND DRIVING HEAD Filed March' 5, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR: WALTER F. NEVVHOUSE ATT'Ys Dec. Z, 1958 w. F. NEwHoUsE 2,862,295

sTAPLE l1mm/11N@ AND DRIVING HEAD Filed March 5, 1956 6 sheets-sheet e Q di FIG. 47

INVENTOR.' WALTER F. N-:WHOUSE ATI' YS United States Patent O srAPLE FDRMING AND DRIVING HEAD Walter F. Newhouse, Benton Harbor, Mich., assignor to Saranac Machine Company, Benton Harbor, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 5, 1956, Serial No. 569,584

20 Claims. (Cl. 12)

This invention relates, in general, to a staple forming and driving head.

The invention comprises, in general, a staple forming and driving head for making staples from a continuous length of wire from a roll. The wire is inserted through the staple head; and when measured to staple length, is capable of being inserted in supporting position while certain operating parts of the stapling head mechanism are in operation. A staple length of wire is cut from the coil by means of a swedging assembly which comprises pivotally mounted swedging jaws and operated swedging links. The swedging links are operated by a relatively short rack of limited longitudinal movement. This short rack is operated by a segment gear, the rotative movement of which is limited. The segment gear is operated by a relatively long reciprocating rack bar, whereupon the teeth on the latter rack bar will engage the segment gear to give a partial rotation to the segment gear. This par- `tial rotation is transmitted to the short rack which operates the swedging links to bring the swedging jaws into contacting swedging and cutting relation upon the upward stroke of the long rack bar. The downward movement of the long rack bar is relatively an idling stroke, but causes the segment gear to be rotated in a reverse direction to spread the swedging jaws apart. After a length of wire has been inserted in position, a staple making and driving mechanism is provided to first form the staple, and then later drive the formed staple into certain parts to be connected together, such as stiles, rails, cleats, slats and sheet materials of a mat or other element. The staple making and driving assembly comprises a driver member having a latch which first pushes the former member to position for forming a staple. The continuedV movement of the driver member forces the formed staple through its groove and drives it into the material. Upon the return, or upward, stroke of the driver member, the former is caused to return upwardly also by complementary engagement of parts of the driving member with the forming member. Y

The primary object of the present invention is to form relatively long staples, and then drive the long staples, so formed, into hard material, such as hard maple, oak and pecan lumber.

Another object of the invention consists in new and novel means for operatingswedging means in proper timed relation with the feeding of wire.

Another important object of the invention consists in the provision of new and improved means for causing operation of the swedging means in proper timed relation with respect to the operation of the driver andl former assembly.

A further object of the invention consists in the pro- 2,862,205 Pjatented Dec. 2, 1958 ICC vision of new and novel means for forming long staples and mounting 'the long staples in a proper predetermined position to permit them to be driven into hard wood and still maintain the legs of the staple in proper parallelism.

A still further object of the invention consists in new and novel staple forming and driving means,'whereby a former member is controlled by the operation of a driver member.

Another-object consists in the lformation of a driver member cooperating with a former member to effect the staple forming and driving operation in proper timed relation with respect to certain wire swedging mechanism.

Still another object of the invention consists in the provision of the particular formation and arrangement of the parts of the staple making and forming head to effect the proper sequence of operations, to cause the former member to make the staple, and ultimately operate the.

driver member to drive the formed staple to position, all in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

A further object ofthe invention consists in the formation of a staple having predetermined driving points at the lower ends of their legs to insure the staples being driven straightly into or through the material.

A still further object of the invention consists in the provision and arrangement of certain parts located in particular positions to effect substantially simultaneous operation of the parts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel method of feeding wire to a staple making and driving means, whereby the wire is cut to predetermined lengths by a swedging mechanism which also provides l points of a predetermined kind on the legs of the staple,

and then finally drives'the formed staple home to stapling position.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentthroughout the progress of the specification which is to`follow.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a certain selected embodiment of the invention and the figures therein are as follows:

Fig.1 is a detail perspective view of a frame mat or pallet forming device with which there is incorporated the improved staple-making and driving head of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of one form of a frame which is adapted Yto be made by the machine, the stapling heads of the machine stapling the Stiles and rails together to form the frame;

Fig. 3 -is a detail perspective view of one of the stapling heads, and embodying the present invention; l

Fig. 4 is a detail exploded view showing various parts of the stapling head inl perspective;

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary perspective view of a part of the stapling head embodying the toggle and swedging assembly;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a part used in connection with the toggle and swedging assembly;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a rack element for the stapling head;

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view showing the front and right-hand side of a part employed in connection with the staplev forming and driving means of the stapling head;V l Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the part shown in Fig. 8 and showing the rear and left-hand side thereof; Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view showing the front and right-hand vvside 4015.111e..staple.f orrr1ing and driving .element;

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the element shown in Fig. 10, but showing the rear face and left-hand side thereof;

Fig. 12 is a detail front elevational view of the improved staple making and driving head, certain parts being broken away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 13 is a detail longitudinal sectional view on the lineFlS-'IS ofFigflZ; l

`rFig.` 141is 1a detai1=transversessectional -v-iewon'the line 14-14 oflFig. 12; Y

Fig; 1'5-'is ya ldetail transverseisectionlf-viewfon the line Y1'5-15 0f Fig. :1-2; p

Fig. 16 is f afdetailftransverse sectionalwiewfonthe line 1.6--16 of Fig. "12; l

Fig. 17 is a detail longitudinal sectional viewon the 'line17-17 of Figi-T2;

"Fig.118 is adetail Iperspectivevliewgof the;staple Adriver bar;

i F ig. 19.` is tadeta'il 'perspective view.` o'fthe lower-.end of theislotted former member;

Fig. 20 is .adetailfperspective view of-apart of the .toggle and swedging.=assembly, 1 and showingfthe manner Vin lwhich the 1 stapling wiref is fed through the swedging members;

Fig.V 2l `is 4a.detail lperspective view showing certain parts for operatingtheswedging means vwhich `have been moved to swedging cut-off position;

Fig. 22 isa detailperspective .view1of.certain parts of `the staplingchead, kandthe manner:in=which-a length of stapling wire has been swedged and supported'in position prior to. the'staplerforming operation;

Fig. 23 .is a 'detaikperspective lview showing certain parts of the staple forming and driver assembly, astaple arranged in the driver slot being -in'theforming stage;

Fig. 24 is `a detalz'perspect'ive viewfsh'owing the manner inV which the driver. drives-a formed staple;

.Figs..25 :to 29, inclusive, are detailperspective views ofstaples:which'.arecapable.ofbeingmade by a stapling head Yof the present invention;

:,Figs. .to' 34,:inclusive, aresdetail perspective :views of one end of each of the staples disclosed respectively in Figs. A25 to 29,1.inclusive;

.Ll-iig. .is a idetailbottom :end view :ofiA the .staple point shown in Figs. 25 and 30,the2viewsloking infthe Vdirection .of LthezarrowsS-.Srofthe Fig. 30;

;Fig. 36- is a zdetail transversefsectional .view on l the line 36-36 of Fig. 29;

1Fig.;37:is;a rletailfperspective-'view 'on;a :greatly enlarged scalegshowing the'fopposed cooperating .'swedging members for producinghe pointsrof the'-.staple'shownin Figs. 25, 30 and 35;

Fig. 38.is a detailtperspectiveview :showing opposed cooperating swedgingmembers :for zproducing. points of the stapleshowninFigs..-28 an'df33;

Fig. 39 is a detail explodedwiewofthe. staple forming and driving assembly, the various iparts :being shown'in perspective; 7

Figs. 40 to-46, inclusive, '.are Vdetail v:diagrammatic or schematic elevational views showing thesuccessivesteps of operation of the former and driver assembly shown in Fig. 39; and

Figs. 47 to 53 are detail diagrammatic or schematic longitudinalsectional views taken 'centrally through Figs. 40 to 46 respectively. i

The particular construction'herein shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention comprises a plurality of staple making and driving heads v1, Fig. 1, which are adaptedto besecured. rigidly,`but removably, to a stationary transverse bar `2. The bar 2 is secured to spaced vertical side uprights 3, 3 of a frame 4 of a machine 5. Each staplefma-king ,'anddriving khead 1.is adapted A.to be secured*operatively'toatransverse or cross bar.6 which is preferably formed of space'd members operably Vfast- 4 ened together. The ,bar 6 isadapted to be reciprocated vertically, in a rectilinear path, by means of certain connecting rods (not shown), but which are operated by certain mechanism, designated generally by the numeral 7, of the machine 5, Fig. l.

The machine 5, Fig. 1, is for the purpose of constructing certain frames, pallets, panels, battens, or the like. A frame 8, Fig. 2, is shown specifically in Fig. 2 and comprises longitudinal stiles 9 and transverse rails 10, the stiles and rails being adapted to be secured together by means of staples made and driven by the staple making and driving heads 1. The parts constituting the frame 8, such as the stiles 9 and the rails 10, are adapted to be conveyed intermittently by conveyer means 11 to predetermined 4positions to have staples driven-thereinto by the stapleheads 1 of the invention.

The particular machine 5, Fig. ,1,including the conveying means or mechanism 11, is disclosed and claimed in co-pending application Serial No. 569,612, tiled March 5, 1956, by Walter F. Newhouse, Oscar E. Lassfolk and Norman I. Smith and assigned to the present assignee.

Each staple making and driving head 1, Figs. 3, 4 and 12, has a strong durable cast head frame or casing 12which-isprovided with-upper Iand lower integral projections 13 and 14, Figs. 3 and 4, which'receive the stationary'barlZ therebetweemthe frame or casinglZ being clamped, or otherwise'securedyto the stationary bar `2 by means of locking or clamping'members 15, Fig. 1.

The'hea'd'frame orcasing 12, Figs. 3, 4'and 12fto 16, is provided'with a smooth-milled opening-16, yFigs. 3 and 14 to 1-7,'which'receivesarackubar 17, Figs. '3, 4, 7, 12 and '17, having rack teeth 18 at its lower end, Figs. 7 and'l7. The rack teeth 1'8 on thebar 17 cooperate with, and drive, a segment 'gear 1-9, Figs. 4, 12 and 17, the segment gear-19l being revolvably mounted on -a segment supporting shaft 20, Figs. A14 and 17, 'which has its ends supported in 'bearings in'ledges-or Aparts of the head frame 12, Fig. 14. The rack 17 is given vertical reciprocating rectilinear movement by the vertical reciprocal movement `ofthe transverse 'bar 6 of the machine l5, Fig. 1. Therack vbar `17 is'limite'd in its vertical movernentby the bar'6, and, thus,'when the vbar 17 is raised toward the end'of its upward'vertical'travel, it will engage the gear'teeth on 'the segment gear 19,.Fig. 17, andimpart partial rotational movement of the pinion 19. During return movement of the rack bar 17, the teeth 18 Vwill cause reverse rotational movement of the gear'19.

A holder'blockZl, Figs. `3 to 5, is. removably mounted ina part of the head frame 1'2, and this block carries a vertical short rack .w22 whch yis given limited vertical movement by thegear 19. lThe .rack 22 is mounted in thezholder block 21, Fig. 5,'terminating at its upper end in 'an integral shaft jor pin .23 which is receivable in a circular opening 24 in an integral cross member 25 of the holder block 21,'Fig. 5.

The lower end of theshort .rack 22, Fig. 5, carries a pivot pin`26 on which the upper ends of toggle arms or members 27 and 28 are mounted. The lower end of the toggle member .27 vis `pivoted at 29 to a swedging arm onbar 30, whilethe lower end of the toggle .arm 28 is pivoted .at 31 .to the upper.en'cl of a swedging arm or 'bar 32. The bar.30 is pivoted at.33 toV a face of the holderblockA 21, andthe swedging .barl32'is pivoted at 34 to a face of'the'holder'block`21,`Fig. 5.. The swedging arms or. bars 30 and 32 areprovided-with engaging teeth 35 and 36, respectively, on their inner faces, Figs. 5, A20 and 21. Thelower ends-ofthe armsor Vbars 30 and `32 are provided with cooperating swe'dg'ing jaws 37 .and 38, respectively,Figs.-'5,'20, "21, 37 and-38. The jaws '37 and '38 are .adapted Ato swedge otl :a length of wire 'from which staples are .to..bemade, Figs. 25 .to .'29, the jaws'being capable of assuming various configurations to form 'dilerent ,predetermined .kinds .of staple pints,Figs. 30 to 34.

v Upward vertical movement of the rack bar 17, because of the upward movement of the movable transverse bar 6, causes the rack teeth 18 on the rack bar 17, Figs. 4, 7, 14 and 17, to come into engagement with the segment gear 19 and impart partial rotation to the gear 19 on its shaft 20. This partial rotation :of the segment gear 19, therefore, will cause vertical longitudinal movement of the rack 22 and cause the toggles 27 and 28 to move downwardly, Figs. 5, 20 and 21, thus shifting the swedging arms or bars 30 and 32 on their respective pivots 33 and 34 to bring the lower ends of the jaws 37 and 38 together to swedge and sever the wire, and to form predetermined staple points, Figs. 25 to 35.-

The swedging bars 30 and 32 are prevented from shifting outwardly from the face of the holder block 21 upon which they are mounted by means iof a plate member 39, Fig. 6, which is secured to the holder block 21. The plate 39 is provided with a square shank 40, Fig. 6, which has a hole 41 provided therein to receive a screw 42, the screw 42 being threadedly received in a threaded .opening formed in the holder block 21 and arranged between the upper ends of the swedging arms 30 and 32, whereby the plate is secured to the block. Y

The holder block 21, Figs. 4 'and 12, is arranged between upper and lower integral projections 43 and 44 on the head frame 12 so as to hold the block 21 in proper vertical position. The block 21, Figs. 4 and 5, is adjustable horizontally on the head Iframe 12 by means of screws or bolts 45, 45, Figs. 4, 5 and 12, passing through elongated spaced slots 46, 46, the bolts 45 being screwed home into the frame 12.

The lower end of the holder block 21, Figs. 3 to 5 and 12, is provided with a transverse horizontal opening extending therethrough to receive a tubular guide 47 through which staple wire 48 passes. The wire 48 is fed to position by means of a wire feed device (not shown) from rolls of wire 49, Fig. l, there being one roll 49 for each stapling head 1.

A screw 50, Figs. 3 and 12, is arranged at the upper end of the rack bar 17 and is adjustably connected to the top cross operating bar 6. Downward movement of the operating bar 6, Fig. l, causes the rack bar 17, Figs. 4 and 17, to move upwardly, whereupon the rack teeth 18 of the bar 17 impart rotative movement to the segment gear 19, causing the swedging rack 22, Figs. 5 and 17, to operate the swedges for swedging and cutting purposes. The screw 50 is connected to a litting, which in turn is fastened to the reciprocating cross bar 6. The screw 50 provides for a certain amount of adjustment so that the -segment gear 19 will be caused to operate lthe swedge arms 30 and 32 at the proper time. As the operating bar 6 moves downwardly, the segment gear 19 will be rotated in the reverse direction to open the jaws 37 and 38. A spring pressed detent l51, Fig. 17, engages a groove 52 formed in a smooth face 53 of the segment gear 19, Figs. 4 and 17, to prevent overrunning of the pin. The detent 51 engages a socket at the end lof the groove 52 to hold thegear 19 in position for reverse movement of the gear when the rack bar moves upwardly.

The wire 48 is fed through the tube 47 by a wire feeding device (not shown) and through the holder block 21, its free end coming to rest against an abutment or stop 54 adjustably arranged at one side of the head frame 12 on the inside thereof, Figs. l2, 20 and 21. The swedging jaws 3'7 and 38 then operate to swedge cut a piece 55, Figs. 20 and 21, from the wire 48. The piece of wire 55 is of a predetermined length equal to a staple, and is held in position for forming and driving by forming and driving means indicated generally by the numeral 56. T he staple driver and former assembly 56, Figs. 3, l2, 13 and 39, particularly Fig. 39, is slidably mounted in the staple head frame 1.2 to form a staple from the cut piece of wire 55, and then after the staple is formed, to drive the staple into the stiles and rails, Figs. 2 and 24.

Driver and former assembly 56 The driver and former assembly 56, Figs. 3, l0 to 13, and principally Fig. 39, comprises a driver member 57 which cooperates with a former member 58 to form and drive a staple. A hole 59, through the upper end of the driver member 57, provides for the attachment of the assembly 56 to a fitting which is mounted and supported on the cross transverse operating bar 6, Fig, l. 'Ihe driver member 57, Figs. 12 and 39, is provided at its lower end with elongated circular bores 60, and the former member 58 is provided with alined elongated circular rods 61 at its upper end to receive expansion coil springs 62, Figs. 3, l0 to 12 and 39, normally to urge those two parts apart when the driver and former assembly 56 is at the conclusion of the stapling operation and when the parts are moving upwardly.

The former member 58 is part of a die structure and is provided with a forming slot 63 therein, Figs. 11, 12, 19, 23 and 39, which shapes the staple, the former member cooperating with certain mechanism carried inside of the head frame 12. The driver member 57 also includes an elongated extension element forming a driver bar 64, Figs. 12 and 39, which ts into the slot 63. The slot 63 is elongated as at 65, Figs. 19, 23 and 39, the slot 63 and its extension 65 being of a size to receive the driving head 66 of the driver bar 64.

The driver member 57, Figs. 10 to 13 and 39, is provided with a cutout or slot 67 to receive a driver latch 68 which is pivoted at 69 to the driver member 57. The driver latch operates in the slot 67 and is urged outwardly by a flat spring 70, Fig. 13, which is arranged along one `side of the driver latch 68 and is secured to the driver member 57, as indicated at 71, Fig. 13.

l The driver latch 68 has its outer lower end 72, Fig. 13, cut away a-s indicated at 73, to form an abutment 74, which is adapted to engage the upper edge 75 of the former 58 so that during downward movement of the driver member 57, the spring pressed latch 68 will push the former member 58 downwardly for the purpose of firstV making a staple, and then later driving the staple home. The outer edge of the driver latch 68 is rounded to form a cam surface 76, Fig. 13, so that after the former member 58 arrives downwardly to a predetermined position, the driver latch will be forced inwardly into the slot 67 of the driver member 57 within the rear faces thereof, and inside of the body of the former member 58, by means of the driver latch cam 99, Fig. 39. The former member 58 cooperates with a stop member 7S, Figs. l2 and 39, which is secured to a side edge of the casing 12, Figs. 4 and l2. This stop normally ts into a cutout 79, Figs. l2 and 39, at one side of the former member 58, and engages a shoulder at the end of the cutout, Figs. l0, l2 and 39, preventing the former member 58 from eX- tending lower than a predetermined set distance in the event there is no material under the driving heads to receive a fastener. With the former member at rest and the latch member in the unlatched position, the driver member 57 continues to move downwardly, forcing the fastener from the formed position in the former 58, Fig. 39, into the material to be fastened.

A pivot block 81, Figs. 8, 9 and 39, is pivotally mounted in a cavity 81 of the head frame 6, Figs. 4 and 39, the block 81 being pivoted at its lower end on a pivot pin 82 which extends across the cavity 81', Figs. 4, 8, 9 and 39. A loop bar 83, Figs. 8, 9, 2l, 22 and 39, is rigid with the pivot block 81,- preferably being formed as an integral part thereof. This loop bar 83 has a groove 84 formed therein to receive a cut piece of wire 55, Figs. 20 to 22, extending across a recess in a part of the head frame 12 between the inner edges of the swedge jaws 37 and 38 and the stop 54, with the free o-uter end of the Wire 55 in contact with the abutment or stop 54, Figs. l2, 20, 2l and 39.

The block or plate 81 has spring means 85, Fig. 9, ar-

- 'manmade 7 ranged therebeneath to urge the block 81 outwardly, whereby the integral loop bar 83 thereon will be received in the staple forming groove 84, `Figs. 20, 21 vand .39. The .lower end of the former bar 58 thus will engage the cut wire 55 and Vform it over the loop bar 83 to form a staple 86 with .the legs 87 thereof extending in the elongated groove part, Fig. 23. The staple 86, thus formed about the loop bar 83, will have its legs 87 arranged on each side of a pivotally mounted guide lbar 88 which is pivoted at its lower end on the pivot pin of the pivot block 81, Figs. 8, 9 and 39. The guide bar 88 is arranged in a slot "89, Fig. 9, formed in the block or plate 88. The aforesaid spring means 85, arranged in the cavity 81 of the casing 12, contacts the supporting guide bar 88 to normally urge the block 81 and its supporting guide bar 88 outwardly. The supporting guide bar 88 is limited in its pivotal movement by means of a pin, Figs. l2, 22 and 39, which pin extends across the slot 89, the pin passing Lhrogh anarcuate s'lot formed in the body of the guide After the swedged piece of wire 55 has been formed over the loop bar 83, the front end of the driver head 66, which is beveled, as at 90, Figs. 18, 23 and 24, will engage the inclined side of the loop bar 83 and cause the pivot block 81 to be depressed and disengage the wire 55 from the loop bar 83. However, the pivoted guide bar 88 is still present to guide the staple 86 in its staple forming slot 63, 65. The continued downward movement of the driver bar 64 will cause the incline or bevel 90 to contact the upper end of the guide bar 88 and depress it against the tension of the spring means 85, Figs. 4 and 22, the spring pressed guide bar 88 guiding the formed staple 86 throughout its length, and substantially up to the time it comes in position to be driven into the material, such as the stiles and rails `9 and 10, Fig. 4. The forward outer end of the driving head 66 of the driver bar 64, Fig. 18, terminates in a at end 91 to permit the extreme outer end of the driver bar 64 to engage the cross shank of the staple 86. The driving end of the driver head 66 may be provided with a slight indentation 92 on the end thereof to force the shank of the staple down tightly against the material to be fastened.

After the staple 86 has been formed by the former 58 and driven by the driver 57, the former and driver assembly 56 is returned by the operating bar 6 during its upward movement, first, causing the driver member 57 to be pulled up, which in turn, will pull up the former 58 with it. The driver member 57 is `provided on one face with aprojection or block 93, Figs. 13 and 39, which fits into a complementary recess 94 formed in the body of the former member 58 so that when the driver member 57 is raised by the upward reciprocation of Vthe operating bar 6, the driver member 57 will pull the yformer member 58 upwardly along with it.

A brass face or cover plate 95, Figs. 4, l2 and 14 to 16, is removably applied over a face of the casing 12, the face plate 95 being provided with an insert 96 of hardened steel in which an elongated slot 97 is `formed at its upper end. The slot 97 is in alinement with a cooperating slot 93 in the face plate 95. The lower inner edge of the insert at the bottom of the slot 96 is beveled, as indicated at 99, to cause depression of the driver latch 68 during ydownward movement of the former and driver assembly 56. The bevel 99, contacting the rounded nose 76 of the latch 68, causes thelatch 68 to be forced inwardly against the tension of the spring 70 until the lower edge 77 of the driver member 57 contacts the upper edge 75 of the former member 58 to complete the staple forming operation. The .continued downward movement of the driving member 57 drives a staple out -of its slot 63, 65 of the former 58, into the xmaterial to be secured together, such as stiles and rails `9 and V1I).

The staple making and Ydriving head o'f the invention causes extralong staples `o' various kinds to be formed from a continuous length of wire from a roll, the staples being `of various kinds, as disclosed in Figs. 25 'to 434, inclusive. The staples 86 may have any desirable point 'formed on the free ends -of their legs 87, and the .points 'being formed by the forming jaws 37 and 38 depending upon the type of point desired. While any kind of point may be made by the swedging jaws l37 and 38, it thas been found that the most desirable points are those disclosed in Figs. 25, 30, y29 and 34. In Figs. 25., 30 'and v35 there is shown a pyramidal point made from 'round wire, while in Figs. 29 and 34 the points vare pyramidal, being made from square wire. The cooperating yjaws y37 and '38, shown in Fig. 37, are the swedging jaws Vwhich form the pyramidal points disclosed in Figs. 25 and Y30. 'The swedging jaws shown in Fig. 38 make the staple, shown in Fig. 28, which .has the point as shown in Fig. .33. In actual practice, it has been found `that staples made Vin accordance with Figs..2`5, 28 and 29 `are capable of being Adriven through 'thick .layers of hard wood, the legs of the staple remaining `straight and in direct alinement with each other during the driving operation and after being driven home.

A blunt point, such as shown in Figs. 27 yand 32, has 'also been used with success in that ythe legs remain straight during the driving operation.

Even the points disclosed in Figs. 26 and 37 may be formed by swedging jaws so designed, but such points are better adapted for use in soft material rather than in hard material.

Operation The downward `stroke of the operating cross bar or member 6 causes downward movement of the rack 17 amounting to an idling operation, the swedging operation taking place during the upward movement of the cross bar to raise the rack bar 17. yReversely, the downward movement of the operating cross bar 6 causes operation of the former and driver assembly 56 during the downward movement of the cross head 6, the upward movement of 'the cross bar 6 amounting to an idling operation of the driver and former assembly 56, returning the parts to original Vposition for the next succeeding operation.

The downward movement of the former and driver assembly '56 is disclosed diagrammatically or schematically in Figs. 40 to 53, inclusive. Figs. 40 and 47 disclose the position of the driver and former assembly 56 in its original, or rest, position at the beginning of the cycle and just as the cross bar is about to begin its downward stroke. The lower end 77 of the driver mem 'ber557 is spaced from the upper end 75 of the former 5S (shown also in Figs. 11 to 13,). The driver latch 68 has its operating abutment end 72 projecting outwardly' from the body of the driver element and in engagement with vthe upper edge of the former member 58. The continuous uninterrupted downward movement of the driver member 57 will then push the former member Y58 to the position shown in Figs. 4l and 48 where the lower end of the former member 58 will become engaged with vthe piece of wire 55 and form it over the loop bar 83. After the parts arrive vto that position, the continued downward movement of the driver member 57 will cause the parts to be moved to the position shown in Figs. 42 and 49, the rounded nose 76 of the driver member 57 being forced inwardly by engagement with the inclined edge of the material at the slot 97 of the steel insert .96 in the face plate 9S, whereupon the driver latch 68 is depressed down into the slot or recess 67 in the driver member 57 and within the body of the former -member 58, Figs. 42 and 49. The driver bar 57 continues its downward movement, whereupon the bevel of the driver head 66 of the driver bar 64 will engage the inclined end of the rigid loop .bar 83 and depress the pivot block 81, as shown 1n Figs. 42 and 49, the spring pressed supporting bar 88 still acting as a guide to guide Athe legs of the staple and prevent the staple from shifting in the slot in the former member 58. As the driver member 57 continues its downward movement, the parts next will assume the position shown in Figs. 43 and 50, wherein the extreme outer end of the driver head 66 is shown engaging the cross shank of the formed staple 86 to force it downwardly through its slot 63, 65 in the former member 58, and then drive it out of the slot 63, 65, as shown in Figs. 44 and 5l, and then through the material (see Figs. 23 and 24). When the driver latch is disengaged for later upward travel, the bottom end of the former, which protrudes about ive-eighths of an inch from the bottom of the stapling head after completionl of the driving, Figs. 42 and 49, permits free removal of the work piece from the lower end of the staple head driver. After the conclusion of the complete downward driving stroke, as shown in Figs. 44 and 51, the driver member 57 will return upwardly, as shown in Figs. 45 and 52.. The pivot bar 81, including the loop bar 83 and the guide bar 88, will return to its normal position by the spring fmeans 85. The continued upward movement of the driver member 57 then causes the former member S3 to return to original position, as shown in Figs. 46 to 53, because the projection or block 97 secured to the driver bar 64 has engaged the material of the former member S8 at the top of the complementary recess 94, pulling the former lmember 58 back upwardly to its normal rest, as shown in Figs. 45 to 52, thus completing one complete cycle of operation, and ready to start the next succeeding cycle, Figs. 40 and 47.

During the upward movement of the transverse bar 6, which idles as the driver and former assembly 56 returns to original position, the swedging means is caused to operate because the upward movement of the rack bar 17 will be moved into engagement with the segment gear-19, to give a part turn to the gear 19, and, therefore, operate the toggles 27 and 28 to swing ythe swedging arms 30 and 32 and draw the jaws 37 and 38 together into swedging and cutting position.

The construction and operation of the stapling device of the invention is such that the wire 48 is fed through the forming and driving means 56 at any time after the driver member 57 has caused the depression of the pivot block 81 and during the return movement of the assembly S6; but, of course, before the swedging means is brought into operation. Therefore, there is plenty of time to feed wire into position without hindrance during a part of the downstroke of the driver and former assembly and during the entire upstroke thereof, prior to the time that the rack engages the segment gear 195. This latter arrangement is a very important part of the invention, as the operation of the wire feed mechanism may not be precisely timed with the operation of the stapling head, and a slight error in the timing of the wire feed vwill not be detrimental to the operation of the stapling head.

The staple head of the invention is rugged and durable in construction, and it must necessarily be so because while there are several operations to be formed, the operation requires but a fraction of a second to complete a cycle of operation. Also, the parts must be durable because the primary advantage of the present invention lies in the making of a very long staple from a continuous length of wire, and then driving the so-formed staple through thick hard material, such as maple or other hard wood.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and theright is hereby reserved to make all Vsuch Y 16 changes as fall fairly within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. A staple forming and driving device comprising a casing, a wire swedging assembly in said casing, a staple forming and driving assembly, and operating means to operate both of said assemblies, said swedging assembly swedging a piece of wire to staple length upon operation of the swedging assembly in one direction, said forming and driving assembly forming a staple from said length of wire and driving said latter assembly in a direction opposite to the direction in which the swedging assembly performs the swedging operation, said swedging assembly comprising a pair of arms pivoted to said casing interiorly thereof, land swedging severing means fastened to said arms.

2. A staple forming and driving device comprising a casing, a wire swedging assembly in said casing, a staple forming and driving assembly, and operating means to operate both of said assemblies, said swedging assembly swedging a piece of wire to staple length upon operation of the swedging assembly in one direction, said forming and driving assembly forming a staple from said length of wire and driving said latter assembly in a direction opposite to the direction in which the swedging assembly performs the swedging operation, said operating means returning both said assemblies simultaneously to original position at the conclusion of the forming and driving operation, said swedging assembly comprising a pair of arms pivoted to said casing interiorly thereof, and swedging severing means fastened to said arms.

3. A staple forming and driving device comprising a casing, a wire swedging assembly in said casing, a staple forming and driving assembly, and reciprocating means to reciprocate both of said assemblies simultaneously, said reciprocating means causing operation of the swedging assembly to perform a swedging and cutting operation of the swedging assembly when said swedging assembly is reciprocated in one direction and operating the forming and driving operation in an opposite direction, said swedging assembly comprising a pair of arms pivoted to said casing interiorly thereof, and swedging severing means fastened to said arms.

- 4. A staple forming and driving device comprising a casing, a wire swedging assembly in said casing, a staple forming and driving assembly, and reciprocating means to reciprocate both of said assemblies simultaneously, said reciprocating means causing the swedging assembly to become engaged to perform a swedging cutoff operation when the reciprocating means reciprocates in a first direction and to become disengaged in an opposite direction, said reciprocating means causing the forming and driving assembly to effect a forming and driving operation during movement in said opposite direction and to return said latter assembly to original position upon operation of the reciprocating means in said first direction, said swedging assembly comprising a pair of arms pivoted to said casing interiorly thereof, and swedging severing means fastened to said arms.

5. A staple forming and driving device comprising a wire swedging assembly, a staple forming and driving assembly, and reciprocating means to reciprocate both of said assemblies simultaneously, said reciprocating means causing the swedging assembly to become engaged to perform a swedging cutoff operation when the reciprocating means reciprocates in a first direction and to become disengaged in an opposite direction, said reciprocating means causing the forming and driving assembly to effect a forming and driving operation during movement in said opposite direction and to return said latter assembly to original position upon operation of the reciprocating means in said first direction, said swedging assembly comprising swedging arms carrying swedging jaws, a first rack to drive the arms, a gear to 11 drive the rack, and a second rack to drive the gear. 6. A staple forming and driving device comprising a wire swedging assembly, a staple forming and driving assembly, and reciprocating means to reciprocate both of said assemblies simultaneously, said reciprocating means causing the swedging assembly to become engaged to perform a swedging cutoic operation when the reciprocating means reciprocates in a first direction and to become disengaged in an opposite direction, said reciprocating means causing the forming and driving assembly to effect a forming and driving operation during movement in said opposite direction and to return said latter assembly to original position upon operation of the reciprocating means in said first direction, said forming and driving assembly comprising a former member, a driver member to drive the former member, and means to release the driver member from the former member after the former member has completed its forming operation, said driver member being operable after the completion of the forming operation, said swedging assembly comprising swedging arms carrying swedging jaws, and means to operate said arms.

7. A staple forming and driving device comprising a wire swedging assembly, a staple forming and driving assembly, and reciprocating means to reciprocate both of said assemblies simultaneously, said reciprocating means causing the swedging assembly to become engaged to perform a swedging cutot operation when the reciprocating means reciprocates in a first direction and to become disengaged in an opposite direction, said reciprocating means causing the forming and driving assembly to effect a forming and driving operation during movement in said opposite direction and to return said latter assembly to original position upon operation of the reciprocating means in said first direction, said forming and driving assembly comprising a former member, a driver member to drive the former member, and means to release the driver Vmember from the former member after the former member has completed its forming operation, said driver member being operable after the completion of the forming operation, said swedging assembly comprising swedging arms carrying swedging jaws, a first rack to operate said arms, a gear to operate said rack, and a second rack to operate said gear. r

8. A staple forming and driving device comprising a frame, and a swedging assembly carried by the frame, said assembly adapted to swedge off a length of wire equal to the length of a staple to be formed from a roll of wire and to form staple points on the ends of said length of wire, said assembly comprising a reciprocal first rack, a gear engageable with the rack to cause rotative movement of the gear upon reciprocation of the rack, a second rack operated by said gear, toggle means connected to said second rack, pivotally mounted swedge arms pivotally mounted to said toggle means, swedge jaws on said arms, movement in one direction of said first rack rotating the gear to move the arms and said jaws to swedging position, and movement of the first rack in an opposite direction causing said arms and jaws to move to open position.

9. A staple forming and driving device comprising a frame, a swedging assembly carried by the frame, said assembly adapted to swedge oli a length of wire equal to the length of a staple to be formed from a roll of wire and to form staple points on the ends of said length of wire, said assembly comprising a reciprocal first rack, a gear engageable with the rack to cause rotative movement of the gear upon reciprocation of the rack, Va second rack operated by said gear, toggle means connected to said second rack, pivotally mounted swedge arms pivotally mounted to said toggle means, swedge jaws on said arms, movement in one direction of said first rack rotating the gear to move the arms and said jaws to swedging position, movement of the first rack in an opposite direction causing said arms and jaws to move to -open position, said gear having a smooth surface without gear teeth thereon, said smooth surface having a groove therein terminating into a socket, and a spring pressed detent operable in said groove formed and receivable in said socket at the conclusion of the wire swedging operation.

l0. A staple forming and driving device comprising a frame, a swedging assembly carried by the frame, said assembly adapted to swedge ofi a length of wire equal to the length of a staple to be formed from a roll of wire and to form staple points on the ends of said length of wire, said assembly comprising a rotatively mounted gear, a rack bar slidingly mounted in said frame, rack teeth on said rack and normally out of engagement with the gear, means to operate said rack, said teeth on said rack engaging the gear to impart rotation to the gear when the rack is moved in a first direction, said teeth rcversing the gear for a length of travel in a reverse direction of the rack and then disengaging the teeth from the gear upon continued reverse direction of the rack, and swedging means operated by said gear.

1l. A staple forming and driving device comprising a frame, a swedging assembly carried by the frame, said assembly adapted to swedge oli a length of wire equal to .the length of a staple to be formed from a roll of wire and to form staple points on the ends of said length of wire, said assembly comprising a rotatively mounted gear, a rack bar slidingly mounted in said frame, rack teeth on said rack and normally out of engagement with the gear, means to operate said rack, said teeth on said rack engaging the gear to impart rotation to the gear when the rack is moved in a first direction, said teeth reversing the gear for a length of travel in a reverse direction of the vrack and then disengaging the teeth from the gear upon continued reverse direction of the rack, a second rack engageable with the gear and operated thereby, and swedging means operatively connected to said latter rack and operated thereby.

12. A staple forming and driving device comprising a frame, a swedging assembly carried `by the frame, said assembly adapted to swedge olf a length of wire equal to the length of a staple to be form-ed from a roll of wire and to form staple points on the ends of said length of wire, Asaid assembly comprising a rotatively mounted gear, a rack bar slidingly mounted in said frame, rack teeth on said rack and normally out of engagement with the gear, means to operate said rack, said teeth on said rack engaging the gear to impart rotation to the gear when the rack is moved in a first direction, said teeth reversing the gear for a length of travel in a reverse direction of the rack and then disengaging the teeth from the gear upon continued reverse direction of the rack, a second rack engageable with the gear and operated thereby, toggle means connected to said second rack, and swedging arms having swedging jaws connected to said toggle means and operated thereby.

13. A lstaple forming and driving device comprising a casing, a staple forming and driving assembly carried by said casing, said assembly including a driver member, means to reciprocate the driver member, a latch carried by said driver member, swaging means in said casing to cut a length of wire to staple length, means to operate said swaging means, a former member operated by driver member to form a length of wire into a staple, said latch engaging the former member, and means to release the latch from the former member after the staple forming operation, said driver member engaging the former member after the latch is released to continue movement of the former member while the driver member is operating in the same direction, said driver member continuing its .movement to drive the formed staple from the former member and into material said means, and said means to operate the swaging means 13 being supported and operable within saidcasing, said casing also having the formed staple arranged therewithin, said swedging assembly comprising a pair of opposed swedging jaws in said casing, means to operate said jaws to opened and closed position, and rack means in said casing to operate said last named means.

14. A staple forming and driving device comprising a casing, a staple forming and driving assembly carried by said casing, said assembly including a driver member, means to reciprocate the driver member, a latch carried by said driver member, swaging means in said casing, means to operate said swaging means to -cut wire to staple length, a former member operated by driver member to form a length of wire into a staple, said latch engaging the former member, means to release the latch from the former member after the staple forming operation, said driver member engaging the former member after the latch is released to continue movement of the former member while the driver member is operating in the same direction, said driver member continuing its movement to drive the formed staple from the formel' former member while the drivermember is operating in the same direction, said driver member continuing its movement to drive the formed staple from the former member and into material, means to operate the driver member in a reverse direction, said former member having an elongated recess therein forming a shoulder at one end of the recess, and a block on the driver member form` ing a shoulder against which the rst shoulder abuts to return the former member by return movement of the driver member after said shoulders are in abutting relationship and the driver member is returning to original position said driver member, said forming member, said swaging means, and said means to operate the swaging means being supported and operable within said casing, said casing also having the formed staple arranged therewithin.

17. A staple forming and driving assembly to form a i .staple and drive the formed staple into material, such member and into material, means to operate the driver member in a reverse direction, and means interengaging the driver member and the `former member to cause return movement of the former member said driver member, said forming member, said swaging means, and said means to operate the swaging means being supported and operable Within Said casing, said casing also having the formed staple arranged therewithin, said swedging assembly comprising a pair of severing swedging jaws, an arm for each jaw, means pivotally connected to said arrn's, means to operate said arms, and gear means to operate said last named means.

15. A staple forming and driving device comprising a casing, a staple forming and driving assembly carried by said casing, said assembly including a driver member, means to reciprocate the driver member, a latch carried by said driver member, swaging means in said casing to cut wire to staple length, means to operate said swaging means, a former member operated by driver member to form a length of wire into a staple, said latch normally ,engaging the former member, means to release the latch from the former member after the staple forming operation, said driver member engaging the former member after the latch is released to continue movement of the former member while the driver member is operating in the same direction, said driver member continuing its movement to drive the formed staple from the former member and into material, means to operate the driver lmember in a reverse direction, and means interengaging the driver member and the former member to cause return movement of the former member, said former member having a shoulder, said last named means comprising a block on one member normally engaging a shoulder on the former member said driver member, said forming member, said swaging means, and said means to operate the swaging means being supported and operable Within said casing, said casing also having the formed staple arranged therewithin, said swedging means including a pair of opposed severing and swedging jaws, pivotally connected link means connected to said jaws, means to operate said link means, and rack means to operate said last named means.

16. A staple forming and driving device comprising a casing, a staple forming and driving assembly carried by said casing, said assembly including a driver member, means to reciprocate the driver member, a latch carried by said driver member, swaging means to swage a length of wire to staple length, means to operate said swaging means, a former member operated by driver member to form a length of wire into a staple, said latch normally engaging the former member, means to release the latch from the former member after the staple forming operation, said driver member engaging the former member after the latch is released to continue movement of the as wood, comprising a frame, a pivot block pivotally mounted to a part of the frame, a loop bar on the block and having a loop into which a length of Wire is received, a staple guide bar pivotally mounted on the pivot block, spring means to urge the pivot block and the guide bar in one direction, a former member having a staple forming and receiving slot therein, a driver bar to operate the former member, means to reciprocate the driver bar, said former member bending the wire to staple form over the loop bar, said driver bar depressing the pivot block to release the formed wire therefrom, said driver bar depressing the guide bar by engagement therewith.

18. A staple forming and driving assembly to form a staple and drive the formed staple into material, such as lwood, comprising a frame, a pivot block pivotally mounted to a part of the frame, a loop bar on the block and having a loop into which a length of wire is received, a staple guide bar pivotally mounted on the pivot block, spring means to urge the pivot block and the guide bar in one direction, -a former member having a staple forming and receiving slot therein, a driver bar to operate the former member, means to reciprocate the driver bar, said former member bending the wire to staple form over the loop bar, said driver bar depressing the pivot block to release the formed wire therefrom, said driver bar depressing the guide bar by engagement therewith, said driver bar driving a formed staple out of said slot into said material at the conclusion of the movement of the driver bar in said one direction.

19. A staple forming and driving assembly to form a staple and drive the formed staple into material, such as wood, comprising a frame, pivot block pivotally mounted to 'a part of the frame, a loop bar on the block and having a loop into which a length of wire is received, a staple guide bar pivotally mounted on the pivot block, spring means to urge the pivot block and the guide bar in one direction, a former member having a staple forming and receiving slot therein, a driver bar to operate the former member, means to reciprocate the driver bar, said former member bending the wire to staple form over the loop bar, said driver bar depressing the pivot block` to release the formed wire therefrom, said driver bar depressing the guide bar by engagement therewith, said driver bar driving a formed staple out of said slot into said material at the conclusion of the movement of the driver member in said one direction, said driver bar returning the former member when the driver bar is reciprocated in a reverse direction, said pivot `block and said guide bar being returned by said spring means when the driver bar is returning in said reverse direction.

20. A staple forming and driving assembly to form a staple and drive the formed staple into material, such as wood, comprising -a frame, a pivot block pivotally mounted to a part of the frame, a loop bar on the block and having a loop into which a length of wire is received, a staple guide bar pivotally mounted on the pivot block,

spring means to urge the pivot block and the guide bar in one direction, a former Vmember havingl a staple forming and receiving slot therein, a1driver bar :to operate the former member, means to reciprocate the driver bar, said former member bending lthe wire to staple form over the loop bar, said driver bar depressing the pivot block to release the formed wire therefrom, said driver bar depressing the guide bar by engagement therewith, said driver bar driving a formed staple out of said slot into said material at the conclusion of the movement of the driver bar in said one direction, said driver bar returning the former member when the driver bar is reciprocated in a reverse direction, said pivot block and saidguide bar being returned by said spring means when the driver bar is returning in said reverse direction, cooperating means on the driver bar and former member to return the former member in said reverse direction upon 4movement of the driver bar in said reverse direction, and means including a spring pressed latch on the driver bar engaging the former member to move the former member during movement of the driver member in said one direction.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 362,530 Parmuee May 1o, 1887 1,906,075 Metcalf Apr. 25, 1933 2,128,478 schmidtke Aug. 3o, 1938 

